Guided Kayaking & Rentals

Things to Do

Guided Kayaking & Rentals

Guided Kayaking & Rentals

Guided Kayaking & Rentals

Experience Glacier Bay’s serenity and beauty, and explore secluded inlets surrounded by dramatic coastal mountains. Bartlett Cove offers kayakers a protected rain forest environment in which to paddle and explore. You can also paddle along the shores of Lester Island and Point Gustavus with opportunities to view a variety of land mammals, marine, and bird life. Seals, porpoise, sea otter, black bear, moose, bald eagles, and whales are some of the wildlife you can expect to see.

Unguided Kayaking

If you prefer to go it alone, kayak instructors will outfit you with an appropriate kayak and equipment, and issue additional gear according to your needs and the day's weather conditions. Rentals for kayaking in Alaska includes basic instruction, safety presentation, hard-shell double sea kayaks, paddles, spray skirts, floatation bags, and life vests.

Guided Kayaking

Perhaps you prefer to join a group of like-minded explorers and kayak with an experienced guide/naturalist, stopping to view wildlife, share a lunch or snack of local delicacies, and hike briefly along shore, before returning to Bartlett Cove. Just like unguided kayaking, we sill set you up with the appropriate kayak and all necessary gear for a kayaking experience you won’t soon forget. Full-day or half-day guided tours are offered.

Backcountry Camping & Kayaking

The evening before you begin your camping & kayaking trip we step you through the camper drop-off process that takes you up bay by the daily tour boat. We will review with you the equipment you will use, size you for life vests, paddles, and rain gear (if needed). Following this, we will conduct a brief practice paddle, and have you get comfortable with putting your empty kayak on board the camper transport vessel. Once kayaks are squared away for the evening, we will discuss tides, distances, safety factors, fill out rental forms, and answer any trip itinerary questions you may have. The evening instruction and kayak rental session generally lasts two hours.

NOTE: The Park Service has designated drop-off and pick-up locations for kayaking/backcountry excursions, and requires that kayak/campers participate in an orientation about safe backcountry camping prior to heading off into the wilderness.

If you choose to bring your own kayak there is the cost of traveling up bay on our tour boat.

For questions or advance bookings please call 888.229.8687. Or upon arrival to Glacier Bay Lodge, front desk personnel will gladly arrange this ‘must-do’ experience for you.